15th Jun 2010, 00:47

I bought a 2001 Mazda MPV LX in 2002 with 19,000 miles. Apparently it was a program vehicle.

I have had a lot of Japanese exported Mazdas, not anything made in the country (USA). They have all been superb vehicles with next to no mechanical and hardware problems. I think its all in how one "treats" the vehicle. If you abuse it then it will not last.

I have over 100,000 miles, and have had the major services done at the dealers. In between I have had the 3,000 mile oil changes done at oil stops.

I have used the vehicle as a work horse, carrying 36 landscaping cement blocks, 36 bags of steer manure, 20 bags of concrete. I have travelled fully loaded from city to city on the freeway. It has been, and probably will still continue to be, a favorite vehicle of mine.

It has excellent seats, far better than my 2008 Honda Civic. Now that gas prices have dropped, I am driving it preferentially because of seat comfort. It is smooth on the highway and zooms along up over hills at 2000ft. It can easily pass other more powerful vehicles like the Grand Cherokees on hills.

Recently a Cadillac owner friend drove it when I moved (when I had to drive the U-Haul). To his surprise the MPV ran like a charm. He thought it was the typical Sarah Soccer Mom vehicle. To his surprise it was more like a race car, and the term zoom zoom certainly described the experience for him.

I have hardly spent a dime on the vehicle, so now I feel that if I have to start spending, then I will already be in front.

Sorry to hear that some people have problems with theres. Remember, it's all in how you treat it... a bit like a woman!!!

Good luck to all. The check engine light issue in the later mileage vehicles may be a ploy to have you take the vehicle in, so as to spend money and keep the industry in motion, especially if the industry is ailing, as we know it is.

Remember with computers what you put into it, you get back out. Its the karma of the motoring world!

1st Jul 2010, 07:14

We have a 2001 MPV bought new. At about 40,000, the check engine light came on. The shop said to change the gas cap. It worked.. for a while. Scheduled maintenance has always been done on time.

Now at 67,000 it starts to come on and off every couple of days (more on than off). Now it is misfiring when I come to a stop, and knocks when going up hill.

The shop says there's like 5 or more codes in there, but the first says to change the MAF sensor for $270+ $60 to hook it up to the computer.

Done, engine light off for about 1 day, and then has started misfiring again. Back to the shop; don't know what to tell you, but go to the dealer.

6th Aug 2010, 08:23

I have a 2001 MPV purchased new. It has been great! During a 7700 mile road trip throughout the US, the only thing I had was a check engine light due to pressure in the gas tank. I filled up and the light went away. It needs spark plugs and wires, which can be a tough job, but other than that, mechanically it is a great machine. A dealership mechanic told me to put a bottle of injector cleaner in a full tank of gas to keep the throttle plate from becoming gummed up.

The rear door handles are another story, both coming off within 2 weeks of each other. Replacements are expensive.

I say mechanically the van is a 10, body moldings and interior are about a 7. Still love it!

23rd Nov 2010, 14:47

I own a 2001 Mazda MPV.. dash lights are on, would not start. I had my mechanic put in a new starter. Now he says my computer is not working and not sensing the gear if it is in parking or not.. lights will go dimmer once I try to turn the keys. There is green one dot fuse light right underneath the steering that is lit green. Can this be reset? I need help.

8th Dec 2010, 17:40

I have a 2001 MPV LS, which I bought brand new. Today it has 217,500 miles on it.

I have had to replace the fuel pump 2 times, MAF once, O2 sensor a couple of times, and the radiator once. I perform all routine maintenance ie, oil, trans, plugs, wires, brakes myself.

I replaced the rear coil springs myself, and will soon replace the front springs.

I had to replace 1 CV shaft.

For a vehicle that is 10 yrs old, and 200,000+ miles on it, I don't think this is too bad. The vehicle is paid for, and I have decided I am gonna drive this baby until it quits completely!!!

Would own one again!!!

14th Mar 2011, 21:12

I have a 2001 Mazda MPV and yes I have the same trouble as you guys. The check engine light on wants to stall. I have done a full tune up and it's still the same.

Can someone help?

23rd Jun 2011, 14:19

It would cost $150 to replace 2 banks of O2 sensors if you do it yourself (including the cost of renting a sensor wrench from AutoZone).

26th Jun 2011, 20:45

You should replace the 02 sensors first. There are 4, unless you the car was sold new in California and there are 6. I got a check engine for the front 2, replaced them and it cleared the code. It cost 150 for the two sensors (I did the install myself). A good mechanic should do it for 150 parts plus 100$ labor. Basically 200$ each or 300 for both at the high end. The cat converter cost 350 for the middle and 150 for the rear plus 2-4 hours.

2000 plus is way too much, and it is rare all these parts fail at once. That is half the value of this van.

Overall, it is a solid van with regular maintenance, so get a second opinion.

28th Jul 2011, 19:38

You might need a new IAC. If your engine sounds like a foghorn from time to time, you need a new IAC. A very common problem. You will also get better gas mileage.

7th Aug 2011, 14:27

Sometimes if you keep having problems, you may consider changing garages, I don't like going to a garage where I can't see what they're doing; who knows what goes on? I'm not a mechanic, but I understand the basics.

5th Apr 2012, 09:49

I have a 2001 Mazda MPV LX. The engine light is on, I put the scanner on, and it shows 2 codes; 421 and 431. This means 2 oxygen sensors are bad. Yours it's only one. P00421.

29th Jan 2013, 20:14

It might be your ECV emissions control valve. It's pretty $300 or so, but my mechanic just cleaned it out and replaced a piece of tubing for about 3 bucks and it fixed the problem... Good luck.